History

In 1281, King Denis decreed that the conservation of the Palace should be entrusted to the enfranchised Moors.

Later, in the early 15th century, King John I (1385-1433) built the central body of the building.

In the first quarter of the 16th century, King Manuel I added several wings and in particular enriched the interior, which now possesses the most important collection of Mudéjar Azulejos (coloured glazed tiles) in the world.

The successors of Manuel I neglected the Palace and it was refurbished in the 17th century, when King Afonso VI (1643-1683), mentally and physically ill, was dethroned in 1667 and exiled to the Azores by its brother, Peter II , was detained in the Palace in 1675 for the last nine years of his life.

Magpies Room Sala das Pegas

The room takes its name from its magpies painted ceiling. Each magpie holds a rose (symbol of the Queen Philippa's House of Lancaster) and says "Por bem" (Without bad meaning).

The legend says that her husband, King John I (1357-1433) was caught by court women kissing a lady which led them to chatter like magpies.

The King defended himself that the kiss was "Por bem" (Without bad meaning) and got the ceiling painted by 136 magpies, one for each women of the court, so that they do not forget their duties of courtesan.